Prairie State Wire

Illinois House Republicans have expressed concern over Governor JB Pritzker's recent signing of Senate Bill 328 (SB 328), suggesting it could negatively impact job creators by expanding liability standards and potentially driving businesses away from the state.

SB 328, signed into law by Pritzker, permits lawsuits against companies operating in Illinois even if both the plaintiffs and the harm originated outside the state, as long as the company is registered in Illinois. This development has raised alarms among business groups. The Illinois Manufacturers Association warned that the legislation could harm the state's competitiveness by encouraging "litigation tourism." Republican lawmakers have already filed a lawsuit challenging the bill on constitutional and business grounds.

According to Illinois Policy, SB 328 makes Illinois only the second state to adopt such broad jurisdiction for toxic tort cases, facilitating lawsuits against businesses even when harms and plaintiffs are external to the state. The bill significantly increases litigation risks for companies simply because they are registered in Illinois, potentially raising operating costs and deterring investment. This situation is particularly concerning in a state already ranked poorly for lawsuit friendliness, with Cook County often referred to as a "Judicial Hellhole."

In 2023 alone, Illinois lost 218 businesses, tripling its rate of business departures compared to pre-pandemic years. This makes it one of the highest per-capita business outflows in the nation. Policy analysts attribute this exodus to Illinois’ uncompetitive tax and regulatory environment—an environment further threatened by SB 328. Without reforms, advocates worry that more employers could leave the state, narrowing job opportunities and weakening the tax base.

The Illinois House Republicans serve as the minority caucus in the Illinois House of Representatives. They advocate for fiscal responsibility, legal fairness, and economic growth while consistently opposing legislation they believe burdens job creators and drives companies away from Illinois. According to their official website, they prioritize delivering opportunities for families and businesses across the state.